Mickle's one true way of chain maintenance.

[summerdays]

I have seen a kids bike on which the cassette was covered in something that looked like vaseline in great big gloops.

 

[Rhythm Thief]

Anyone ever tried a Scottoiler? Ooh, they're brilliant.

 

[BentMikey]

Anyone ever tried a Scottoiler? Ooh, they're brilliant.

I have been tempted by one, they seem to get very good writeups! I would think they would work well on the 'bent too, given the length of chain and that it comes extra close to the ground.

 

[John the Monkey]

I have seen a kids bike on which the cassette was covered in something that looked like vaseline in great big gloops.

I've seen similar in the coverage of the Tour of California - the wet stages were done by some teams with a kind of clear grease on the chain, enough that it's visible as a gelatinous coating on the chain (of course, they can afford to throw the chains away after the stage, though).

 

[Fab Foodie]

I have seen a kids bike on which the cassette was covered in something that looked like vaseline in great big gloops.

My Fixie chain runs on Vaseline. In the old days I melted it and shook the chain around in the warm melted stuff to penetrate the links, and then removed to drip dry.
Not done this for years as mostly it sits on the turbo, just a touch of regular oil these days.
When it used to be used all-year round it worked a treat!

 

[summerdays]

I'm talking about lumps of vaseline the size of 2p or ping pong balls - not even smoothly spread along the chain.

 

[Twenty Inch]

Come on, 3-finger Joe - you're dying to say "Hydrodynamic Lubrication", aren't you?

 

[threefingerjoe]

 

[threefingerjoe]

Ok, since no one else has mentioned it, HERE, is SHELDON BROWN'S PROPER WAY TO MAINTAIN A CHAIN! http://sheldonbrown.com/chainclean.html

 

[BentMikey]

LOL! And the proper way:
http://sheldonbrown.com/chains.html#cleaning

 

[BicycleTutor]

WD-40 is definately a no-no!
http://bicycletutor.com/no-wd40-bike-chain/

Video that demonstrates chain cleaning and lubrication:
http://bicycletutor.com/chain-lubrication/

 

[iacula]

Thank you bicycle tutor I will add you to my cycle favourites

 

[redjedi]

My chain is in deperate need of a clean, so much so, that I may just buy a new one.

But are those on-chain cleaners any good like this one

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDeta...ff Chain Doc Chain Cleaner With 400ml Aerosol

Will it get my really dirty chain clean again?
or should I start with a new chain and use one of these regularly?